NOTE: Unfortunately I have to put CSN's SOM feature temporarily on hold while I work through some career, medical issues, and expected family relocation. I'll try and get the SOM going again ASAP following my (anticipated) disability retirement. Entries will continue to be received and placed in the selection pool.

PS - My family and I would appreciate your prayers during this time of transition!

Thanks! -J.M.

By popular demand we're renaming our 'Songwriter of the Month' to 'Song of the Month', and I've updated the rules as well:

1.  You MUST be a CSN forum member.

2.  The song must be your own, or that of your songwriting team (NO COVERS unless you wrote it, LOL).

3.  All entries must be accompanied by a signed certification and permission statement (also attached) that allows us to upload the song (if selected) to our SoundClick page, and lets us know whether it should be streaming only or downloadable.  Note that collaborations are fine, but all co-writers who own a portion of the copyright must also sign the permission slip (just add in more signature lines as needed).
 The signed statement should be faxed to 1-206-279-1601 (or scanned in and sent as an attachment with your song).

4. Your song should be sent as an mp3 (128 to 192 kbps works best) along with a promo photo to csn.som@gmail.com , and PLEASE include your forum name(s) within your email.

5.  You can enter one song per month, and previous entries don't need to be resubmitted, they stay in the pool indefinitely.

Von, Michael, Lou and I (the CSN admin team) make the winning selection each month.

SOM winners are normally announced on the last day of the month, for the next month.

The selected song and its writer(s) will be promoted from the CSN front page, and on our ad-free VIP CSN SC page, where the selected song will remain indefinitely (unless the songwriter requests its removal).

Much love and God bless,
James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com

do not have a fax machine and too stubborn to go find one

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What? Me Worry?

:-)

Noted.

Alternate method of permission slip submission:

Snail mail to:

Christian Songwriter's Network
P.O. Box 18895
Panama City Beach, FL 32417

God bless,
James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com

if someone e-mails you with a statement declaring that you have permission to use the song and you keep that e-mail, then that is legally viable and binding. so, by rights, users shouldn't need to fax or snail-mail you a statement of consent.

_________________

Nope, sorry, and so says me -- e-mails can be easily faked/modified, so if I have to defend my actions in court one day I'd rather have the songwriter's signature on record. I will also accept e-mailed scans, or even legible photographs of a signed statement, but physically signing a permission slip for this feature is a hard requirement.

God bless,
James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com

Hi James
I have songs I would like to send, I know just 1 per month, i will fax a permission slip.
does the song have to be one that has not been heard yet?
i have 4 songs on my soundclick, and i sent one in for critique, does that mean i can no longer enter them, or what about the songs that i put on sharesong, which are different? i guess i am asking if a song for a contestant has to be something never put on the internet before?
thanks for the info and btw, i am happy to have found this site

Hi Angela,

Songs can be old/new/whatever! :)

BTW, I'm glad you found this site too!

God bless,
James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com

Hi James,
Could I scan a signed permission slip and then email you the signed slip as a tif or pdf file?

Thanks

Blessings
Chris

_________________
The long awaited concept CD "ALL ABOARD THE HEAVEN EXPRESS"
has now arrived at http://www.chrismedway.com. and waiting to travel to a station ear you - WOOOOO-HOOOOOO…

It's fun....it's witty....it's Biblical - IT'S GREAT FOR ALL KIDS AGED 0-200 - Check it out!

"The first rule in music is that there are no rules"

Yip, that'd be fine Chris.

God bless,
James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com

James, can I send a song for the SOM and have it HEARD only by your listeners. Why does it have to be downloaded all over the country to anyone who wishes to download it?

Hi,

You didn't read all the rules, or read too quickly.  See no. 3 -- we allow submitters to choose whether they prefer their song to be streamed only or downloadable.

Blessings,
James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com

Hi James ,please forgive my slowfulness I'm trying very hard to learn how to use this site so i can help spread God's word in songs,usually my chidren help me ,but i must learn how to connect on my own (LOL) now i really need there help to show me what to do next so when there able to help me you'll here from me real soon!!! til then Jesus luv ya and i do 2 .

James, can we send you a PDF of our signed agreement to your email instead of faxing?  That's an option that Indie Heaven allows, and it sure helps for those who don't have fax machines at home.  Please advise.  THANKS for this service, also!  It's a real encouragement! (And so are YOU and all the diligent and giving moderators here on CSN!!  God bless you ALL!)  Becky Wright

www.beckywrightsongs.com

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"Female Songwriter of the Year" Winner (Agape Fest '08). Please vote for "Call Me Loved", on the IndieHeaven Fan Faves (Inspirational) Chart!
http://www.beckywrightsongs.com
http://www.indieheaven.com/artists/becky_wright
http://www.myspace.com/beckywrightsongs
http://www.shoutlife.com/beckywright

Hi Becky,

Yes, PDF (or any format I can get to open) is fine!  Thanks for your kind words, and God bless you too!

James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com

Hi James,

Do you have a specific form that we need to sign, and if so, where can I find it?? If it is a permission slip that we generate, exactly what information do you need??

God Bless,

Rickey

Hi Rickey,

The form was linked to in the first post, but I just now attached it to the post to make it more noticeable!

Blessings,
James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com

Thanks James!!

Blessings,

Rickey

Hi James.....I was just reading your guidelines for submitting an entry for SOM. I've faxed the permission form and wondered what the next step is for sending my song through to you....My song is entitled "Home of the Free". It has an interesting story behind it, but in a nut shell, it was written in honor of Marine Corporal Joshua Watkins, who gave his life in Iraq serving our country. Thanks for the opportunity to get this special song heard.....Patty G. Jones :)

Hi Patty!

From step 4 -- next you have to send an mp3 of the song and a promo photo (in case your song is selected) to csn.som@gmail.com

Thanks and God bless,
James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com

Thought I'd read this forum since I now have some songs I can submit.. I'm not a very active member of this forum (have SO much other stuff to do lol!) but hopefully I will manage to get it done now that my uni exams are over.

Just wanted to say that reading this thread was hilarious. Almost all of the questions asked in replies were answered in the initial post!

LOL...all is not what it may appear, I go back and edit the top post as questions arise and are resolved. One day I might make a fresh post to prevent such confusion, but then we wouldn't serve a dual role of providing entertainment.

Blessings,
James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com

Haha, brill, perhaps I should've guessed! ...no comment goes to those who've posted questions after the initial post was last edited though.. ;)

To any and all who decide on the Song of the Month, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!! I've really been praying for a boost of encouragement and this is MORE than I could have asked for...as is always the way with our wonderful God. Thank you and Happy Holidays to all!

I'm a song-writer with low-quality audio-recording equipment and no access to background musicians. Although I can sometimes flounder my way on the guitar, a lot of my song recordings contain only me singing (and I consider myself to be a mediocre singer at best - I'm a songwriter/lyricist first).

Will this hamper my potential chances of winning? Is the emphasis placed on the songwriting, or on the entire song production? (Ditto with regards to professional song-writing, does anyone know if a musical team is needed for song-writer demos in general?)

Thanks,
Kristine

Hi Kristine,

The focus is mainly on the song and not on the production, however the vocals shouldn't be a distraction (mediocre is more than likely just fine). A 'basic' home recording studio recording of a great song could certainly win our SOM, whereas an excellent production of a poorly written song doesn't have a chance. Having said that, we also have tips here in the forum to help you improve the results you get from your basic gear. Hope this helps!

Blessings,
James

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My personal music ministry website is MovingTowardChrist.com, my SoundClick page can be found via SongsbyJames.com